Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance across Africa during the Induction, Orientation, and 114th Meeting of the African Peer Review Panel of Eminent Persons held in Addis Ababa.

Speaking on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Peer Review (APR) Forum, President Kaguta Museveni, the Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development (Planning), Amos Lugoloobi, emphasized the importance of the induction process in reinforcing the continent’s governance framework.

He noted that the event marks a renewed dedication to the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM)’s core mission.

The Minister stated that the induction represents “the renewal of their commitment to African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) core mandate of promoting good governance across Africa through an African-owned and African-led process.”

Lugoloobi, who also serves as Chair of the APR Committee of APRM Focal Points, underscored the critical responsibility entrusted to members of the Panel of Eminent Persons.

“As custodians of the integrity, credibility, and independence of the Mechanism, your role is both strategic and normative. You are entrusted not merely with oversight, but with safeguarding the foundational principles upon which the APRM was established in 2003 as an African-owned instrument of self-assessment and peer learning,” said Lugoloobi.

During the meeting, Kenyan academic and former Vice-Chancellor of Kenyatta University, Prof. Olive Mugenda, was announced as the new Chairperson of the APR Panel of Eminent Persons.

Lugoloobi further highlighted the expectations placed on panel members, noting their role in ensuring strong political commitment among member states and promoting the implementation of APRM recommendations.

He stressed that the process must remain country-driven, with governments fully integrating recommendations into national development agendas.

Panel members were also urged to maintain high standards of independence, objectivity, and professionalism while ensuring inclusive participation from all stakeholders.

“On behalf of the Chairperson of the APR Forum, I am confident, Your Excellencies and distinguished Panel Members, that you will leave your imprint on the APRM as we pursue our mandate to address governance bottlenecks,” said the Minister.

Since its establishment in 2003, the APRM has made notable progress in advancing governance and accountability across Africa. Over its 23 years of existence, the mechanism has conducted 48 peer reviews and expanded its membership to 45 out of the 55 African Union member states.

The meeting in Addis Ababa is vital in strengthening collaboration among African countries as they work towards improving governance systems and addressing development challenges across the continent.